Volquez hurt, leaves game

Reds starter Edinson Volquez could be hurt again. Volquez, who was activated from the 15-day disabled list to make Monday’s start vs. the Cardinals, lasted only one inning and totaled 24 pitches (14 strikes) in his first game back.

The word from the clubhouse: Volquez left the game with numbness in the pinky and ring fingers of his right hand. He will be evaulated in Cincinnati on Tuesday by team medical director Dr. Tim Kremchek.

“It just comes down [to my fingers],” Volquez said. “It was just for a second and I didn’t feel it anymore.”

The Volquez line: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K. With one out, he gave up back-to-back doubles to Colby Rasmus and Albert Pujols (RBI hit). He was on the DL with back spasms and hadn’t pitched since May 16 at San Diego.

After the Rasmus hit, the Reds knew something was wrong when Volquez started throwing a lot of breaking pitches.

“I threw about 10 curveballs in a row and I usually don’t throw more than three curves the whole game,” Volquez said.

In the past few days, Volquez had thrown two side bullpen sessions without any soreness.

Mike Lincoln took over for Volquez in the bottom of the second. The Reds gutted out a 5-3 come-from-behind win as five relievers combined for two runs (one earned) allowed over eight innings.

“We were talking about as Lincoln was warming up,” said Daniel Herrera, who worked two innings after Lincoln. “We said we had a lot of work to do. We all knew we’d have to pitch our weight in there. I’m glad we pulled out the win. It’s what our bullpen does.”

If Volquez is seriously hurt, reliever Jared Burton can be brought back to fill in and bolster the bullpen, which has 14 innings pitched in the last three games. Volquez’s next turn to start is Saturday vs. the Cubs but if he can’t make it — how does lefty Matt Maloney sound? Maloney threw a three-hit shutout on Sunday and is 4-3 with a 2.00 ERA through 10 starts at Louisville.

The Reds don’t need anymore adversity, especially on the heels of the Joey Votto situation. They will need Bronson Arroyo to go deep into Tuesday’s game after throwing a complete game the last time out.

On the resiliency scale for Monday, the Reds deserve a 10. What did you think of the outcome and how that win ranks up there this season?

It has to be tempting to give Masset a start, but I hate to mess with a good thing. He has been great in the 6th, 7th, 8th innings. Chris Welsh said he hit 97 mph last night.Russhttp://wight4256.mlblogs.com

Last night’s WIN is more evidence that this team has a good shot at making some noise in September, assuming that guys like Votto, Volquez, and Burton get right and regain their health. I liked what I saw; guys you don’t expect much from, manning up and getting the job done…Hanigan, Nix, Lincoln, Herrera, when the deck is stacked against them.

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